Snow falls in the Earth's extreme North and South throughout the year. However, the heaviest snowfalls have been reported in the mountains of other areas during winter. Snow is even known to fall near the Equator (赤道), but only on the highest mountains.

    Snow contains much less water than rain, but much of the water the world uses comes from snow. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In the western United States, mountain snow provides up to seventy-five percent of all surface water supplies.

    Snowfall helps to protect plants and some wild animals from winter weather. Fresh snow is made largely of air trapped among the snow crystals (晶体). Because the air has trouble moving, the movement of heat is limited. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The surface of the snow takes in, or absorbs, sound waves. As snow grows older or if there have been strong winds, it can become hard and flat. Then, the snow's surface will help to send back sound waves.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people. Many people die in traffic accidents on roads covered with snow and ice or from being seriously stuck in the winter storm. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    People may not be able to avoid living in areas where it snows often. However, they can avoid becoming victims of snowstorms. People should stop driving and stay at home until the storm has passed. People living in these areas should carry emergency supplies in their vehicle. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. These include food, emergency medical supplies, and extra clothing to stay warm and dry.

B. Snow also influences the movement of sound waves.

C. Melting snow provides water for rivers, electric power stations and agricultural crops.

D. Mountain snowfall is heavier than that in the South and the North Poles.

E. In many places, streets were blocked; houses fell down and supplies were short.

F. Others die from heart attacks caused by too much physical activity out in the cold.

G. Snow may be beautiful, but it can be deadly.

    Most of us will admit that on occasions we can be bad－tempered. This can be for a number of reasons.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}   As the body and mind are tired, it seems to take us less time to become angry just because of something that is of little importance. Young children are usually the cause of tiredness and it is highly likely that parents allow themselves to release(释放) their exhaustion directly at the children. Children are very good at remembering these instances and it will affect them for a long time. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Diet and lifestyle can be key factors in causing a bad temper. Some people don't realize that their diet can directly affect their moods. Processed food and items that contain a lot of sugars, especially those that aren't natural sugars, can cause a rise in blood sugar.  {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Similarly, lifestyle choices can encourage bad tempers and poor moods, especially if drug and alcohol are used too frequently. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    If you have noticed that you are becoming increasingly bad－tempered, it is important that you take steps to try and regain control. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} After you find the cause, try and make positive changes to prevent this from occurring in the future.

A．Find your ways to release your anger.

B．Check what it is that causes the bad mood.

C．Tiredness is often the most common reason.

D．Managing your anger is good for your health.

E．Therefore, it is important to have more patience   when with children.

F．This rise can have a very negative effect on moods  and mental performance.

G．So it is important to keep away from these   temptations(诱惑) for your own mental state.

    Living in a new country means experiencing a different way of life{#blank#}1{#/blank#} The cultures of all countries are unique, which means that people who have grown up in different places will have different ways of behaving, different ways of thinking about things and different ways of expressing themselves. Before you travel, it is useful to think about culture and the things that are affected by it {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Culture is the values, attitudes, behaviors and beliefs shared by a group of people{#blank#}3{#/blank#} We learn about the culture of our own society in a very natural way as we grow up-we learn through “do's” and “don'ts” about how we treat people, how we behave and what we believe in as children.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}You can see some parts of an iceberg-just like you can see some parts of a country's culture when you visit it. For example, you can see different ways of greeting people, hear different languages and observe different festivals and customs. However, a much bigger part of every iceberg is hidden under water. Even though this part of the iceberg is hard to see, it is very important -without it, the iceberg would not exist. The same is true of culture. There are many aspects of it which you cannot see when you visit a different country, for example the nature of friendship and the importance of time.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It will take a long time to understand those values and beliefs because you have to work them out, but it is probably the most interesting part of any time you spend abroad.

A. Culture is like an iceberg.

B. Different people have different cultures.

C. Doing so will help you prepare for living in a new country.

D. Some people like to travel to new countries and settle down.

E. The aspects of culture you can see are based on those values and beliefs that you cannot see.

F. This means that culture is like a kind of glue (胶水)that holds society together.

G. This is very exciting and interesting, but it can also be a little challenging at times.

    The UN has recognized the contributions of volunteers on Dec.5, International Volunteer Day. Here, the four things are offered to consider before taking the leap into overseas volunteering.

    Choose your organization carefully

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. volunteering may be a fundraising mechanism(筹资机制) for a development project. For others, volunteering is fundamental to their programs, and those serving take on professional roles in longer-term development.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Volunteers want to help and make a difference, but most know this isn't a purely selfless act. You will learn new skills, broaden your horizons and come to better understand yourself and the world. You want to help reduce global poverty or protect the natural world, and that's all OK. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}? Have you always wanted to travel, but not as a tourist? Work with kids? When you understand your motivations, you'll be in a better position to choose the option that is right for you.

    Work alongside the local community

    Often times, travelers volunteer in isolation(隔离) from the local community in which they are working in. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. This enables you to ensure you are committing to a project that promotes long term and sustainable change.

    A volunteer trip is just the beginning

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Further ignite(点燃) the global change maker in you by taking your experience one step further when you return home. Spread the message of your transformative experience to others, helping to spark the change within them.

A. But what else

B. Know why you are going

C. Believe you know it all

D. Communities always welcome volunteers

E. Volunteer travel is a life-changing experience

F. Some organizations require you to pay your own way, and often include a fee

G. Make sure to travel with organizations that have strong partnerships with local communities

    Even accomplished public speakers worry about whether or not their presentation is effective. Fortunately, improving your effectiveness as a public speaker is very simple! Here are some ways.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. This includes the expected size of the audience, as well as their age and educational background. It's also important to know their level of knowledge about the topic you're presenting. Finally, consider how the audience view you and what they will likely expect to gain from your presentation.

    Determine the appropriate tone(语调) for your speech. You can think about the tone of your speech as the feeling of the speech. It will be determined by the audience, place, topic and purpose of your speech. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}， as you'll want to use a tone that's natural for you.

    Conduct research if necessary. If you're already an expert on your topic, then you may be able to write your speech from memory or from your own notes. However, it's important to do research if there are any gaps(空白) in your knowledge. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Also, audience members may appreciate statistics and facts that support your points.

    Outline your speech if desired. Many people find that outlining helps them organize their thoughts and create a good speech. First, write your purpose at the top of the page. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Finally, write the conclusion that you want the audience to draw.

    Add anecdotes or jokes. Although the audience want to hear your speech, people lose attention quickly. Stories, particularly personal ones, and jokes help hold their attention and make your speech more enjoyable. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Just be sure not to say anything inappropriate.

A. Know your audience

B. Make friends with your audience

C. Otherwise, there might be some weaknesses

D. You'll also want to consider your character

E. Then, write out your main supporting points

F. Additionally, they help people be related to you

G. The audience may notice those gaps and ask questions

Test-taking tips

    Passing tests is a huge part of succeeding at school. Clearly, if you want to do well on a test,

    you need to prepare by learning the material(资料) {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Just breathe.

    Even the best prepared student sometimes gets nervous before a test. Nervous feelings can cause people to forget facts that they know. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Breathing deeply is helpful for this. So is moving your body slightly, such as by rolling your shoulders around. Try to arrive for a test a few minutes early, so you can relax before it starts.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    When you are handed a test, look over all the questions before you begin. Read them carefully, noticing details. Also pay attention to how many points each question is worth. Divide your time based on the percentage of your grade each question is worth.

    First answer questions you know and then go back to the difficult ones. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But try to write an answer for every question on the test, even if you're not sure of the answer. The only exception(例外) is if you will lose points for wrong answers {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. If you're not sure whether you should change an answer, it's best not to. More often than not, your first instinct (本能) will be correct.

    Try your best.

    Above all, study well and try your best. If you do that, you can be proud of whatever score you get.